Cranston, RI town hall & government
Cranston spent $376.3 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,566 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Cranston's government.
Who runs Cranston
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Cranston's money goes
Cranston runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Rhode Island cities.
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 48%
- From the state 32%
- Fees & charges 10%
- From the federal government 4%
- Interest, fines & other 3%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Cranston
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Cranston School District
Cranston's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Cranston, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Rhode Island districts overall: 48% local, 40% state, 13% federal
- Local 49%
- State 41%
- Federal 10%
Of the $19,030 per pupil, $11,023 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
What homeowners in Cranston pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Cranston's government
Who represents Cranston
Cranston is represented in Congress by Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Seth Magaziner. Dan McKee is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.